Clydebank's Civic Heart project is set to move to the development stage, after West Dunbartonshire Council's Housing, Environmental and Economic Development (HEED) Committee gave the scheme the green light.

The £3.17 million plans will see the Town Hall's main and lesser halls refurbished, and the entrance of the building moved to Hall Street, with an enhanced foyer space created to create an improved venue for events and conferences.

The Pool Hall will be made wind and watertight, and could be used for temporary exhibitions, such as large scale art and video installations that can be viewed from a new gallery that will incorporate new and improved toilet facilities.

A municipal garden will also be created on Bruce Street to make the Town Hall more attractive as a venue.

At a meeting of the HEED committee in November 2009, councillors agreed in principle to progress the project to the development stage, but development was not to begin until a business plan had been agreed upon.

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It was also agreed to examine whether it was structurally possible and financially viable for the facade of the Baths Complex to be retained as part of the planned garden on Bruce Street.

At Wednesday's meeting, councillors agreed that business plan allowed the project to progress. However, they decided not to retain the facade of the Baths Complex, which would cost £85,000 to preserve. However, stone from the facade will be used to form a low-level boundary and gateway to the garden on Bruce Street.

Councillor Jim McElhill, West Dunbartonshire Council's spokesperson for Environmental Services and Economic Development, explained: "Page\Park Architects were commissioned on behalf of the Council by Clydebank Re-built to examine the implications of retaining the facade of the Baths complex, and their view was that it would need to be supported by a large galvanised steel structure from behind.

"This would encroach substantially into the space of the proposed garden, and cast a shadow over it, which would detract from the attractiveness of the garden and the venue as a whole.

"Historic Scotland also visited the Baths building and has sent a letter supporting our decision.

"The substantial cost of retaining the facade would also mean that there would be little margin for any unexpected increases in the cost of the project.

"I am convinced that the decision reached today is the best one for the future of Clydebank’s Town Hall complex and I’m very much looking forward to seeing new life being breathed into this important part of Clydebank," he said.

It was also agreed to appoint Clydebank Re-built and Page\Park Architects to oversee the completion of the project.

(GK/BMcC)